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No. 4 UConn and No. 16 Michigan meet in an intriguing neutral-site college basketball matchup on Friday night at TD Garden in Boston. The two powerhouses have combined for three of the past four national championships in the sport.
The 2026 Title Game Rematch
This contest marks an 8 p.m. ET tip-off in Boston, exactly seven months after Michigan defeated UConn 69-63 in the national championship game on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium. It is only the 11th time since 1996 that the previous season’s national finalists have played each other the following season, with defending champions holding a 6-4 record in those matchups during that span. The last such meeting took place on Nov. 14, 2018, when Michigan routed Villanova.
UConn enters the game as 7.5-point favorites at DraftKings, attracting about 75% of the tickets and handle, while the over/under total sits at 142.5. Dan Hurley leads the Huskies, having famously turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers following his back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
Coaching Changes and Offseason Departures
Michigan underwent a massive offseason shift when the Dallas Mavericks hired former coach Dusty May last summer, making him the first college head coach to take an NBA job since John Beilein joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019. The Wolverines also lost three players selected in the Top 12 of the 2026 NBA Draft: Morez Johnson Jr. to Dallas at No. 9, Yaxel Lendeborg to Golden State at No. 11, and Aday Mara to Oklahoma City at No. 12.
Following May’s departure, Michigan promoted assistant Mike Boynton Jr. to head coach. Boynton previously served as Oklahoma State’s head coach and was Michigan’s defensive coordinator last season for the nation’s top-ranked defense.
Season Openers and Key Players
Both teams opened their seasons with victories earlier in the week. Michigan defeated neighboring Oakland 84-68 on Monday under Boynton, led by returning starting guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKinney, who combined for 24 points, eight assists, and four steals. Both guards are named to the 50-player preseason watch list for the 2027 Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Award.
UConn kicked off its campaign by routing Gardner-Webb 86-46 on Monday, marking Hurley’s 200th career victory at Connecticut. Sophomore center and Seton Hall transfer Na’Jai Hines tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds in his team debut, while Big East Preseason Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr. contributed five points.
Friday night’s game at TD Garden will serve as the next test for both programs as they navigate their early-season schedules.
